By this point you are more than likely irascible at the copious amount of reading and assignments you’ve had over the past couple weeks. I’m sure by the time we finish reading Lord of the Flies, you will wish to expunge it from your memory as an anathema that caused undue sleeplessness, stress, and anxiety. My one offer of appeasement is that we’re almost finished! Many of you have been candid in your dislike of the novel and have often complained about the necessity of having to augment your knowledge with the use of supplementary sources, such as Spark Notes. I admit that I can understand your displeasure. It’s not every day that one would willingly choose to read a novel about a group of seemingly bacchanalian boys who illustrate the evil side of human nature. While they do not fixate on avarice, a common vice, some of them do become power-hungry, which many would argue is worse than a want of money. There are quite a few memorable characters in the novel. One of the most notable is Jack, the leader of the choir, and the embodiment of good transformed into evil. We see early on that he is somewhat of a bigot, especially toward Piggy, the fat asthmatic member of the group whom he ostracizes by repeatedly telling him, ‘shut up, fatty.’” To make matters worse, Jack eventually ignores the strident sound of the conch and the order and authority it represents. He is also negligent toward the younger boys, which is clearly evident when he states, “‘sucks to the littluns’”, leaving them to helplessly fend for themselves. At one point, Jack leaves the group and forms his own “tribe “of hunters. Their distinctive argot, “kill the beast, cut his throat, spill his blood” inspires a type of cult-like jingoism, which results in chaos, and ultimately Simon’s unfortunate death. Unbeknownst to all but Simon, this savagery is partially inspired by a dead parachutist who was jettisoned from an embattled aircraft above the island. To further assert their separation from Ralph’s group, the new tribe, with Jack as chief, forms a sort of bastion in which all passersby are challenged before they are allowed entry into Jack’s realm. Another evil character, Roger, the furtive boy, is almost portrayed to be a sort of mercenary who abets in Jack’s cruel destruction. When finally finished reading the novel, one can only wish that the anonymous naval officer would extradite Jack and Roger for their unspeakable acts of atrocity. Sadly, we never know what becomes of the boys, as that detail is not important to Golding’s larger message. I hope you have enjoyed my motley, insipid ramblings. Best of luck on Friday’s quiz. Sincerely, Mrs. Alamia, Your more-than-likely-not-so-favorite English teacher (for making your read Lord of the Flies)

ONE OF THE 8 PARTS OF SPEECH DEFINITION: PREPOSITION SHOWS DIRECTION, LOCATION, OR ASSOCIATION

about above according to across after against ahead of along among apart from around aside from at because of before behind below beneath beside besides between beyond by despite down during except for from in in addition to in back of in front of in place of inside in spite of instead of into in view of like near next to of off on on account of opposite out outside over past prior to through throughout to toward under underneath until up upon with within without

NOW WE ARE ADDING ON TO THE PREPOSITION WITH… PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE: THE PREPOSITION AND ALL OF ITS MODIFIERS (THE WORDS THAT RELATE TO, OR GO WITH, THE PREPOSITION) SOME SENTENCES MAY CONTAIN MULTIPLE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES, WHILE OTHERS HAVE FEW TO NONE.

* A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE BEGINS WITH A PREPOSITION AND ENDS WITH A NOUN OR A PRONOUN CALLED THE OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION

In the morning we will meet at Jill's house. On our last morning at band camp, the bus will leave. According to the Weather Channel, there will be rain tonight.

Identify the prepositional phrases On Saturday mornings, we usually get donuts. When it rains, I never have an umbrella with me. According to Mrs. Alamia, it’s better to read the book instead of relying on SparkNotes.

Identify the preposition in the sentence. Write the sentence and underline the prepositional phrase. The puppies wandered around the fenced yard until their owner arrived. The puppies wandered around the fenced yard until their owner arrived Without a care in the world, Alex is relaxing, waiting for the game to begin. Dean thinks that he is smarter than everyone in the class.

Identify the preposition in the sentence. Write the sentence and underline the prepositional phrase. 1. His idea will not work after sunrise. 2. She peered slowly around the doorway before crossing the threshold. 3. The champion will compete against other dogs from the club. 4. The increase in thefts at the store should concern each of us. 5. At a minimum, you will spend three hours on each assignment.

1. His idea will not work after sunrise. 2. She peered slowly around the doorway before crossing the threshold. 3. The champion will compete against other dogs from the club. 4. The increase in thefts at the store should concern each of us. 5. At a minimum, you will spend three hours on each assignment.